Eskom warns of ‘prolonged’ power cuts due to incoming cold front

Eskom on Wednesday said it was “preparing for the predicted cold front” and warned of prolonged power outages. Is load shedding making a comeback?

Eskom alert: 25 August

Possible load shedding on Thursday

The power utility said the inclement weather “puts the network at risk and can affect the electricity supply of customers, potentially leaving some customers with prolonged periods without electricity

“We urge affected customers to be patient and to treat all electrical appliances as live during this time”.

Eskom said customers who have been without electricity for more than 48 hours will take priority. Thereafter, faults older than 24 hours would be prioritised.

Customers can stay up to date by using Eskom’s Alfred chatbot, or by downloading the MyEskom App and following the power utility on Twitter.

Inclement weather on Thursday

The South African Weather Services said “an intense cold front associated with a steep upper-air trough” was developing over the Atlantic Ocean and would make landfall in the western parts of the country on Thursday.

It will then spread to the southern and central parts of the country by Saturday, bringing along with it “rainy and very cold conditions with snow and the high-lying areas”.

“This weather system will encroach eastwards into the Eastern Cape province on Friday afternoon, as well as central interior South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal.”

Residents in the Western Cape can expect widespread rainfall from Thursday afternoon, while Northern Cape residents should brace for the chill from Thursday evening.

NOW READ: ‘Wintry weather’: Intense cold front, flooding and snow on Thursday

Compiled by Cheryl Kahla.